Animal loss

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An artist's rendition of the Rainbow Bridge, a mythical place where beloved pets wait in health and happiness for their owners to arrive, after they die.
An artist's rendition of the Rainbow Bridge, a mythical place where beloved pets wait in health and happiness for their owners to arrive, after they die.

The loss of a pet or a non-human animal to which one has become emotionally bonded can be an intense loss, comparable with the death of a loved one. Whilst there is strong evidence that animals can feel such loss for other animals, this article focuses on human feelings, when an animal is lost, dies or otherwise is departed.

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[edit] Impact

[edit] UK

Pet illness and loss is gradually becoming recognized as similar to other forms of sickness and death in the family. In the UK, a variety of companies provide paid leave for such eventualities,[1] with employment tribunals backing this in some instances where employment terms did not specifically mention pet loss.[2]

Recent studies by insurers suggest that up to one in four pet owners are sufficiently affected by pet loss or illness to take time off, but that many feel this will be treated lightly and hence simply state they were sick. According to Petplan, 35% of people admitted to taking time off work to either settle new pets into the home or care for sick pets, and half of those owned up to taking a whole week off,[3] and according to Direct Line one in four pet owners "said they have been too upset to go into the workplace when their four legged friend died" and "many of those who did go into work after the death of their pet said they were unproductive." [4] The latter survey also noted that pet owners in the UK take "around 8 million days off" due to grief at the death of a pet, and that "seventy-nine per cent of people responding to the survey admitted they did not think their boss would be sympathetic, and the only way they could get time off work was by ... pretending to be ill." [3]

[edit] Beliefs about non-human death

Materialists believe that when a being dies physically, its life ends. Religions are divided as to whether non-human animals are believed to have souls, reincarnate or none.

In the absence of a common belief, many pet owners have adopted feelings towards the Rainbow Bridge, a metaphorical or mythical place of reunion where pets that die live in a paradisical version of limbo, rejuvenated and free of pain and suffering, until their companion humans or other animals arrive in the course of time. At this point, they enter heaven as companions and loved ones, never to be divided again. In many pet-related communities, pets who have died are often referred to as being At the bridge or ATB.

Some Christians take comfort in Bible verses or stories that seem to point to the existence of animals in heaven, such as references to "the lion lying down with the lamb." Another popular passage is the well-known Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

In LDS theology, all organisms (as well as Earth as a planet) are believed to have a spirit, but that beings without the gift of free agency (the ability to know and choose between right and wrong) are innocent and unblemished spirits who go straight to Heaven when they die, unlike humans who spend some time in spirit prison first. It is believed that pets can be reunited completely with their human companions after they both have passed on.

Animal chaplains are becoming increasingly popular for helping the bereaved family members deal with the loss of their pet, to provide memorial services, give spiritual reassurance their pet is in heaven, and to provide grief counseling. The Interfaith Association of Animal Clergy boasts more than 35 members around the world, and is training new students to become Animal Chaplains.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "A number of large businesses have begun to allow their employees 'peternity' leave, in order to look after sick pets or take them to the vets. London delivery company The Courier Service introduced a "peternity" policy last July that lets workers claim two days' paid annual leave. Denise Fresco, human resources manager, said: 'It is awarded in the same way people might need time off for a baby or to look after a child.' Meanwhile, the Bank of Scotland allow workers to take time off work for sick pets, so long as they organise cover. Royal Mail has also said that it will consider allowing 'compassionate leave' if a pet dies." workplacelaw.com Jan 2007
  2. ^ "In September 2006, Royal Mail had to pay employee David Portman an undisclosed amount for firing him after he took a week off work following the death of his dog. The week's absence, the last in a series of absences, happened in 2004 and Portman was dismissed from his job as a result. Portman’s lawyer argued that many of the previous absences were a result of workplace injuries and that Royal Mail's own procedures say that time off following bereavement is not counted against an employee's sickness record. The tribunal ruled Portman had been off for legitimate reasons and that Royal Mail had failed to understand and apply its own policy." workplacelaw.com Jan 2007
  3. ^ a b workplacelaw.com Jan 2007
  4. ^ The London Paper (thelondonpaper.com) and The Scotsman, 9 Feb: survey of 1100 dog owners by Direct Line.

[edit] External links